Race Management: Race Marks

Print Page | Close Window

Race Marks

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Race Management
Forum Discription: For race officers and competiors to discuss the topic
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11583
Printed Date: 30 Sep 23 at 2:04am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Race Marks

Posted By: Riv
Subject: Race Marks
Date Posted: 05 Aug 14 at 8:12pm

I need some advice about race marks.

I'm setting courses in a tdal river where the springs can run at 3kts. River is 60ft deep in places at high springs.

Despite 3 times the depth of line from anchor to mark often my marks sink. When I have more line often the boats get caught on it.

I have Dan Buoys with 6ft telescopic flag poles on top.

They sink because of the drag.

Does anyone know of a better mark, or have any good ideas for how I can do it better?

Replies:

Posted By: PeterG
Date Posted: 05 Aug 14 at 8:19pm

If your marks are being sunk by the current, and are anything like a normal dan buoy then they're probably too small. Most people use things like these - http://www.crew-safe.co.uk/acatalog/Inflatable-Mark-Buoys.html?gclid=CMKenbjq_L8CFc3LtAodFHkA3Q for race marks (at least they do on tidal waters - not so sure what pond sailors use). Unfortunately they're not cheap!

3 times depth isn't a lot in strong currents - some chain near the bottom will help, and if using a big inflatable you will need weight to keep it upright. If you are having trouble with floating ropes fouling rudders etc put 3-4m of chain at the top - it will help keep it upright., and keep the rope away from the surface.

-------------
Peter
Ex Cont 707
Ex Laser 189635
DY 59

Posted By: Riv
Date Posted: 06 Aug 14 at 10:23am

Thanks,

we do not have space to store big marks so some sort of Dan buoy will have to do. Over the winter I'll get bigger ones and add chain below the mark.

Thanks for the useful reply.

Posted By: PeterG
Date Posted: 06 Aug 14 at 11:09am

The big ones deflate, so they don't have to take up a lot of space - but they are a pain to blow up!

-------------
Peter
Ex Cont 707
Ex Laser 189635
DY 59

Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 06 Aug 14 at 12:04pm

We've converted our gear to chain, all the way down, and even that can drift on spring tides if the anchor doesn't hold, we've measured the depths of the outer and inner marks and increased the length appropriately but if the team laying the buoys selects the wrong colour bucket, we'll get a drifting mark. So important to have enough line.

We use small cylindrical yellow uprights on inshore and downwind but large fluro at out to sea & weather marks, we also have used those triangle shaped buoys that do seem to have good visibility but somehow they got shipped to Weymouth and we've not seen them since.

-------------
https://www.corekite.co.uk/snow-accessories-11-c.asp" rel="nofollow - Snow Equipment Deals https://www.corekite.co.uk" rel="nofollow - New Core Kite website

Posted By: Riv
Date Posted: 06 Aug 14 at 8:06pm

It would be good to have a team to lay marks, however it's just me and someone to drive the boat,
so It's got to be light and easy to handle, how do you manage all that chain?

The oil rig support vessels have a GPS system that allows them to hover in the same place with an accuracy of a couple of meters even in rough conditions........I have a vision!

Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 06 Aug 14 at 10:11pm

Originally posted by Riv

It would be good to have a team to lay marks, however it's just me and someone to drive the boat,so It's got to be light and easy to handle, how do you manage all that chain?

That's all we have, two man team individual buckets one set of tackle per bucket, they are a bit heavy, but lifted into the rescue boat one at a time.

-------------
https://www.corekite.co.uk/snow-accessories-11-c.asp" rel="nofollow - Snow Equipment Deals https://www.corekite.co.uk" rel="nofollow - New Core Kite website

Posted By: didlydon
Date Posted: 20 Aug 14 at 12:29pm

MIND YOUR BACKS!! Seriously.... It's literally a pain sometimes hauling in the ground tackle on some of our marks which consist of inflatable type, old sash weights to hold it upright, rope, then chain down to the anchor... especially when the hook gets wedged in the rocks... It might be worth checking this out http://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/racing-marks-buoys-uk.html We've got one of these & its easy to handle. Good luck!

-------------
Vareo 365

Posted By: Riv
Date Posted: 07 Feb 15 at 1:15pm

I've got money to buy new marks now, so the Lomo ones look good value. How much weight are you putting under them to keep them upright?

Posted By: gordon1277
Date Posted: 09 Feb 15 at 9:46am

We have something similar and use a standard bucket with a post mix in it about 1.5m below the surface.
make a rope or steel loop set into the concrete rather than rely on the bucket handle.

-------------
Gordon
Lossc

Posted By: didlydon
Date Posted: 25 Feb 15 at 9:49pm

We've just bought a new Lomo mark & I've rigged it with a 5litre plastic screw top container filled with gravel & sand. That should be enough... It's just tied on the anchor line (8mm 3 strand) just below the mark, spliced to 3m of chain & to a 2.5 kg grapnel

-------------
Vareo 365

Posted By: PeterG
Date Posted: 26 Feb 15 at 10:06am

2.5kg for a grapnel sounds a bit light to me if you are on the sea, and/or subject to anything much in the way of current. I agree on the need to keep it as light as possible, but having spent too much time chasing race marks during races when the tide set in, I'd tend to go for something heavier, unless you are using pretty heavy chain. Depends on where you are laying them, of course!

-------------
Peter
Ex Cont 707
Ex Laser 189635
DY 59

Posted By: Buzz
Date Posted: 26 Feb 15 at 10:56am

We find 2.5Kg Bruce type anchors better at holding than a 2.5Kg grapnel.

Posted By: didlydon
Date Posted: 26 Feb 15 at 11:51am

From experience 2.5kg is ok for us. We're over chalk rocks & sometimes the buggers really get hooked in & we have to "persuade" them out & up quite vigorously!!!

-------------
Vareo 365